Sports
Sports Minister pledges support to Olympics- bound Gymnast
Joel Ajayi
The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has pledged to give all necessary support to the first Nigerian to qualify for Gymnastics at the Olympics Eke Uche by taking over his preparations for Tokyo 2020.
The Honourable Minister made this pledge when he received the 23 year old US- based Eke Uche in his office in Abuja.
Eke also won gold at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019.
The Minister revealed that it was indeed memorable to receive the athlete as Team Nigeria continues the build-up to podium success at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Nigeria Sports Development is on a new trajectory driven powerfully by individual athletes with excellent performances and no person better symbolizes or sign- post the future of our sports development than this young 23- year old youth Uche Eke. Watching his documentary on BBC and CNN over and over, I knew this determination came from his heart. I then realised that if most of our youth can immerse their successes within Nigerian just like Eke, who said he loves the Nigerian flag, then his highest form of patriotism should resonate with all. When it comes to sports, what drives excellence is the spirit of patriotism that makes you want to excel for your country”.
The Minister further said ” I want to congratulate you first because you have brought to form the nexus between education and Sports which is what America and Europe preaches, graduating with a first class from Michigan State University while also excelling in Gymnastics. Two years ago in Morocco, we saw how your discipline, consistency, dedication and determination brightened our journey to the Olympics. We are proud of every young ones who are putting our nation on the world map in sports.”
“The Youth remain one of the greatest resource that this Country has, hence there’s absolute focus of investing in their lives in whatever field they find themselves. This has been the business and the Mandate of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development”, the Minister reiterated.
In his response, Eke thanked the Minister for his support, while assuring that he will remain focused. “Each time I go out there to compete, seeing the President of the Gymnastic Federation of Nigeria, I feel the whole of Nigeria is with me. I appreciate the Honourable Minister for all he is doing for the Nigerian youth and sports development. I pledge my commitment to remain focused at the Olympics, I’m going for podium performance to make the Nation proud.”
Sports
LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Salifu Usman Receives SWAN Fellowship In Recognition Of Sports Development Efforts
Salifu Abubakar Usman, Group Sports Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, has been honoured with the Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) award, in recognition of his exceptional support for the association, professional journalism, and his significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
The esteemed accolade was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in Abuja, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism across the nation.
Upon receiving the award, Salifu expressed profound gratitude, describing the honour as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to further his lifelong dedication to sports reporting, promotion, and growth.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration for me and my family, and I believe it will encourage me further in sports reporting and sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.
Salifu highlighted that this recognition serves as a morale boost following decades of hard work and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports community and beyond.
The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose efforts have significantly advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.
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